Cutting holes in truck frame with plasma, bad idea??

admin

That pretty well sums up my question.  We're repairing and swapping around some beds for a local landscaping co. as they have upgraded a few trucks, but a few of the beds are still in good usable shape. For whatever reason, the owner of this company has had a problem in the past with mounting beds using u-bolts, and would rather have us use channel welded to the bed frame, and then bolted thru the truck frame.  All in all I will have to drill 90-ish holes between the 5 beds we're mounting .  I don't own a mag drill.  I've emailed and called a few people trying to find a mag, but no luck today, though I may buy one Monday.  SO, I have one truck almost buttoned up, we actually lengthened the bed on this one and made a number of other changes.  It's been in my shop almost 3 days now and needs to leave.  Would 'drilling' the holes in the frame of this truck (2006 Ford LCF) with a plasma cutter jeopardize the integrity of the frame??  Thoughts??
Reply:It is my opinion that if you are going to put holes into the frame they need to be drilled. Another option once you have the  holes... is to use big solid steel hot set rivets to put the stuff together... which is the way many frames of both trucks and cars were made in the past.Weldandpower Lincoln 225 AC,DC with Briggs 16hp gas engine.WW2 era Miller TIG.
Reply:I would drill there is a 1000 things wrong about cuting on trucks. center punch holes start of with small bit.  In the past I would cut old channel of and put new on using Holes that are allready thier.Magdrills are great  but somtimes you can not use them then you need a chain drill.
Reply:Yeah, I ditched the plasma thought before reading replies..  I've been putting off drilling holes all day, but it only took about 40 minutes.....  Done deal, thanks for the advice though.
Reply:I don't know why most people are scared of drilling holes.  I drill most of my holes with a cordless dewalt.  All it takes is a good quality, sharp drill bit.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmI don't know why most people are scared of drilling holes.  I drill most of my holes with a cordless dewalt.  All it takes is a good quality, sharp drill bit.
Reply:Originally Posted by mla2ofusBoost, in a lot of cases I think it's more lack of ambition than fear. Some folks also think you need the biggest, baddest drill for it and that's how fingers, hands and other parts get pinched, slammed, etc. when that bit hangs up.                                                 Mike
Reply:Yes, ambition was definitely my issue!!
Reply:Somtimes you think about a job and you make it out to be bad but ones you do it its not so bad afterall. Now when I get around to puting tin on my steep roof I bet it wont be so bad after all.
Reply:Welding old frames no problem done it many of times. Welding new heat treated frames..no way.Boostinjdm,Really depends on the size of the hole under 3/8 no sweat, to 1/2-5/8 just be cautious and work up with a pilot. Above that 3/4 is definately the nasty range, and above a inch just plain nasty without a annular.What I see a lot of folks doing is they could use multiple smaller bolts and actually have a stronger joint ex: one 5/8 bolt-5800 lbs shear, 3 ea 3/8 bolts 2025 ea times 3 for 6075. A lot easier to drill the 3/8. There is some other engineering data because three bolts won't have movement but I am not figuring it out.Look at old railroad bridges ( before welding ) they were riveted together, not a couple of big rivets...... about 50 smaller rivets. A lot of reasons it was done that way, easier to install, no single point of failure, and handles vibration better.
Reply:Drill pilot hole, then use a reamer the size you need for the bolts. Make sure you use cutting fluid on the reamer to keep it cool & lubed.________________________________Everlast PA140STEverlast PowerPlasma 50And no you can't Borrow them
Reply:Many of the new truck frame components are cut with plasma at their factory locations....I have been involved with a few of their robotic cutting system designs and installations. The issues that could cause problems on a truck frame would be extremely rough cuts that could cause a stress riser, and ultimately a fracture.....so if the holes are plasma cut by hand and a rough edge is left behind...it is a good idea to smooth it with a die grinder to eliminate rough, sharp areas that could be the beginning of a crack.Jim Colt   Hypertherm